The Story Behind the Shiv Tandav Stotram

Ravana was not only a powerful king but also a great scholar and devoted worshipper of Lord Shiva. According to tradition, he once attempted to lift Mount Kailash Shiva's abode to carry it to Lanka, so he could be closer to his deity at all times.

Displeased by this act of pride, Lord Shiva simply pressed the mountain down with his toe, trapping Ravana's hand beneath it. Ravana howled in agony for years, according to some tellings, though the pain quickly turned to inspiration. Rather than cursing his fate, he began composing verses in praise of Shiva's greatness describing his cosmic dance, his matted hair flowing with the Ganga, the serpents coiled around his neck, and the fire of his third eye.

Moved by the devotion embedded in these spontaneous verses, Shiva freed Ravana and blessed him with the sword Chandrahas. What emerged from that encounter is the Shiv Tandav Stotram a hymn admired equally for its devotion and its literary brilliance.

What Is the "Tandava"?

The Tandava is Shiva's vigorous, cosmic dance representing the eternal cycle of creation, preservation, and destruction. Where Shiva's gentler dance (the Lasya) reflects grace, the Tandava embodies raw, transformative power. The stotram captures this energy through its rhythm: the Sanskrit verses are built in the fast-paced Shikharini meter, using repeated consonant sounds that mimic the beat of Shiva's damaru (drum) and the roar of his dance.

Shiv Tandav Stotram - Full Sanskrit Text with Transliteration & Meaning

जटाटवीगलज्जलप्रवाहपावितस्थले गलेऽवलम्ब्य लम्बितां भुजङ्गतुङ्गमालिकाम्। डमड्डमड्डमड्डमन्निनादवड्डमर्वयं चकार चण्डताण्डवं तनोतु नः शिवः शिवम्॥

Jatatavigalajjala pravahapavitasthale galevalambya lambitam bhujangatungamalikam, damad damad damaddama ninadavadamarvayam chakara chandatandavam tanotu nah shivah shivam.

Meaning: Ganga water streams through Shiva's matted hair, and a garland of serpents hangs from his neck as his damaru thunders "damat-damat." In this fierce Tandava, may Shiva grant us all-round wellbeing.

जटाकटाहसंभ्रमभ्रमन्निलिम्पनिर्झरी विलोलवीचिवल्लरीविराजमानमूर्धनि। धगद्धगद्धगज्ज्वलल्ललाटपट्टपावके किशोरचन्द्रशेखरे रतिः प्रतिक्षणं मम॥

Jatakatahasambhrama bhramannilimpanirjhari vilolavichivalari virajamanamurdhani, dhagaddhagaddhagajjvalallalatapattapavake kishorachandrashekhare ratih pratikshanam mama.

Meaning: The celestial river ripples through his tangled locks, while flames blaze on his forehead beneath a young crescent moon. My mind stays devoted to this form of Shiva, every single moment.

धराधरेन्द्रनन्दिनीविलासबन्धुबन्धुर स्फुरद्दिगन्तसन्ततिप्रमोदमानमानसे। कृपाकटाक्षधोरणीनिरुद्धदुर्धरापदि क्वचिच्चिदम्बरं मनो विनोदमेतु वस्तुनि॥

Dharadharendranandini vilasabandhubandhura sphuradigantasantatipramodamanamanase, krupakatakshadhorani niruddhadurdharapadi kvachicchidambaramano vinodametuvastuni.

Meaning: Delighted by Parvati's playful presence, Shiva's compassionate glance holds back every hardship from his devotees. May my mind find its joy in this ever-blissful Lord.

जटाभुजङ्गपिङ्गलस्फुरत्फणामणिप्रभा कदम्बकुङ्कुमद्रवप्रलिप्तदिग्वधूमुखे। मदान्धसिन्धुरस्फुरत्त्वगुत्तरीयमेदुरे मनो विनोदमद्भुतं बिभर्तु भूतभर्तरि॥

Jatabhujanga pingalasphuratphanamaniprabha kadambakunkumadrava praliptadigvadhumukhe, madanthasindhurasphurattvaguttariyamedure mano vinodamadbhutam bibhartu bhutabhrtari.

Meaning: The gemstone hoods of the snakes in his hair glow like saffron-tinted horizons, and he wears the hide of a wild elephant like a shawl. May this wondrous, protector-of-all-beings form fill my mind with joy.

सहस्रलोचनप्रभृत्यशेषलेखशेखर प्रसूनधूलिधोरणी विधूसराङ्घ्रिपीठभूः। भुजङ्गराजमालया निबद्धजाटजूटकः श्रियै चिराय जायतां चकोरबन्धुशेखरः॥

Sahasralochanaprabhutya sheshalehasa lekshara prasuna dhulidhorani vidhusaranghripithabhuh, bhujangrajamalayani baddhajatjootakah shriyai chiraya jaytam chakorabandhu shekharah.

Meaning: The dust of flowers offered by countless celestial beings covers his feet, and his matted hair is bound with a garland of serpent-kings. May this crescent-moon-crowned Lord grant us lasting prosperity.

ललाटचत्वरज्वलद्धनञ्जयस्फुलिङ्गभा-निपीतपञ्चसायकं नमन्निलिम्पनायकम्। सुधामयूखलेखया विराजमानशेखरं महाकपालिसम्पदे शिरोजटालमस्तु नः॥

Lalat chatvarajvaladhananjaya sphulingabha nipita panchasayakam namannilimpanayakam, sudhamayukha lekhaya virajamanashekharam mahakapalisampade shirojatala mastunah.

Meaning: The fire from his forehead once consumed the god of desire, and even the king of gods bows before him. Crowned by the nectar-cool moon, may his matted locks bring us the wealth of a great ascetic.

करालभालपट्टिकाधगद्धगद्धगज्ज्वल-द्धनञ्जयाहुतीकृतप्रचण्डपञ्चसायके। धराधरेन्द्रनन्दिनीकुचाग्रचित्रपत्रक-प्रकल्पनैकशिल्पिनि त्रिलोचने रतिर्मम॥

Karalabhala pattika dhagaddhagaddhagajjvalad dhananjayahutikrta prachanda panchasayake, dharadharendranandini kuchagra chitra patra prakalpanaika shilpini trilochane ratirmama.

Meaning: With flames blazing on his dreadful brow, he once offered the fire-god desire itself as an oblation. This three-eyed Lord, the artist who paints designs upon Parvati, holds my devotion forever.

नवीनमेघमण्डली निरुद्धदुर्धरस्फुरत्-कुहूनिशीथिनीतमः प्रबन्धबद्धकन्धरः। निलिम्पनिर्झरीधरस्तनोतु कृत्तिसिन्धुरः कलानिधानबन्धुरः श्रियं जगद्धुरंधरः॥

Navinmegh mandali niruddha durdhar sphurat kuhu nishithinitam prabadh bandha kandharah, nilimpanirjharidhara stanotu krtt sindhurah kalanidhanabandhura shriyam jagaddhurandhara.

Meaning: His throat, dark as a moonless night hidden by fresh clouds, holds the celestial river in his hair. May this bearer of the universe, crowned with the moon, grant prosperity to the world.

प्रफुल्लनीलपङ्कजप्रपञ्चकालिमप्रभा-वलम्बिकण्ठकन्दलीरुचिप्रबद्धकन्धरम्। स्मरच्छिदं पुरच्छिदं भवच्छिदं मखच्छिदं गजच्छिदांधकच्छिदं तमन्तकच्छिदं भजे॥

Praphullanila pankajaprapanchakalimaprabha valambi kantakandali ruchiprabhaddhakandharam, smarchchidam purachchidam bhavachchidam makhachchidam gajachhidandhakachchidam tamantakachchidam bhaje.

Meaning: His throat, dark like a fully bloomed blue lotus, holds the poison from the great churning. I worship this destroyer of desire, of the demon cities, of worldly bondage, of ego, and even of death itself.

अखर्वसर्वमङ्गलाकलाकदम्बमञ्जरी-रसप्रवाहमाधुरी विजृम्भणामधुव्रतम्। स्मरान्तकं पुरान्तकं भवान्तकं मखान्तकं गजान्तकान्धकान्तकं तमन्तकान्तकं भजे॥

Akharva sarvamangal kala kadamba manjari rasapravahamadhuri vijrmbhana madhuvratam, smarantakam purantakam bhavantakam makhantakam gajantakandhakantakam tamantakantakam bhaje.

Meaning: He is the fullness of every auspicious quality, sweeter than the nectar of blossoms. I worship this ender of desire, of the demon-cities, of worldly existence, of pride, and of death.

जयत्वदभ्रविभ्रमभ्रमद्भुजङ्गमश्वस-द्विनिर्गमत्क्रमस्फुरत्करालभालहव्यवाट्। धिमिद्धिमिद्धिमिध्वनन्मृदङ्गतुङ्गमङ्गल ध्वनिक्रमप्रवर्तित प्रचण्डताण्डवः शिवः॥

Jayatvadhbra vibhra bhramadbhujangamashvasad vinirgamat kramasphurat karalabhala havyavat, dhimiddhimiddhimidvananmrdangatungamangalam dhvani kramapravartita prachandatandavah Shivah.

Meaning: Victory to Shiva, whose fierce Tandava unfolds as serpents hiss and coil in his hair, and the mridanga drums thunder their auspicious rhythm dhimi-dhimi-dhimi driving the whole dance forward.

दृषद्विचित्रतल्पयोर्भुजङ्गमौक्तिकस्रजोर्-गरिष्ठरत्नलोष्ठयोः सुहृद्विपक्षपक्षयोः। तृणारविन्दचक्षुषोः प्रजामहीमहेन्द्रयोः समं प्रवर्तयन्मनः कदा सदाशिवं भजे॥

Drsadvichitra talpayor bhujanga mauktikasrajo garishtharatna loshtayo suhrudvipaksha pakshayoh, trnaravind chakshushoh prajamahimahendrayoh samam pravartayam manah kada sadashivam bhaje.

Meaning: Treating a rock and a jeweled bed alike, a snake and a pearl garland alike, friend and foe alike, a blade of grass and a lotus-petal eye alike when will I attain such equanimity and worship Shiva always?

कदा निलिम्पनिर्झरीनिकुञ्जकोटरे वसन् विमुक्तदुर्मतिः सदा शिरःस्थमञ्जलिं वहन्। विमुक्तलोललोचनोललामभाललग्नकः शिवेति मंत्रमुच्चरन् कदा सुखी भवाम्यहम्॥

Kada nilimpa nirjhari nikunj kotare vasan vimuktadurmatih sada sirah sthamajalim vahan, vimuktalolalochano lalamabhala lagnakah shiveti mantra muchcharan kada sukhi bhavamyaham.

Meaning: When will I dwell in a grove by the sacred river, free from ill will, hands folded in devotion, gaze steady, chanting "Shiva" and find true happiness within?

इदं हि नित्यमेवमुक्तमुत्तमोत्तमं स्तवं पठन्स्मरन्ब्रुवन्नरो विशुद्धिमेतिसन्ततम्। हरे गुरौ सुभक्तिमाशु याति नान्यथा गतिं विमोहनं हि देहिनां सुशङ्करस्य चिन्तनम्॥

Idam hi nityameva muktamuttamottamam stavam pathansmaran bruvannaro vishuddhimeti santatam, hare gurau subhaktimashu yati naanyatha gatim vimohanam hi dehinam sushankarasya chintanam.

Meaning: One who regularly recites, remembers, or speaks this supreme hymn attains lasting purity and swiftly develops deep devotion to the divine teacher. Contemplating auspicious Shiva dispels all delusion.

पूजावसानसमये दशवक्रत्रगीतं यः शम्भूपूजनपरं पठति प्रदोषे। तस्य स्थिरां रथगजेन्द्रतुरङ्गयुक्तां लक्ष्मीं सदैव सुमुखिं प्रददाति शम्भुः॥

Pujavasanasamayeda shivaktrayogeeta yah shambhu poojana param pathati pradoshe, tasya sthiraam ratha gajendra turanga yuktaam lakshmeem sadaiva sumukheem pradadati shambhuh.

Meaning: Whoever recites this ten-headed one's (Ravana's) hymn at the close of Shiva worship during Pradosh Kaal is granted lasting prosperity and abundance by Lord Shambhu himself.

Significance of the Shiv Tandav Stotram 

• Devotional power: Composed by one of Shiva's most fervent devotees, the hymn is considered exceptionally potent when recited with sincerity.
• Literary mastery: Sanskrit scholars regard it as one of the finest examples of sound-based poetry its rhythm and alliteration recreate the very beat of Shiva's dance.
• Symbol of surrender: The story behind its origin pain transformed into praise is often cited as an example of turning suffering into devotion.
• Cosmic philosophy: The stotram doesn't just describe Shiva's appearance; several verses (12–14) reflect on equanimity, detachment, and the dissolving of ego core themes of Shaiva philosophy.

When and How to Chant It

• Best time: Pradosh Kaal (the period around sunset), and especially on Maha Shivratri.
• Method: Traditionally chanted with a calm, steady voice, often while facing a Shiva lingam or image, ideally after a simple Shiva puja.
• Benefits associated with regular recitation: Inner strength, fearlessness, mental clarity, and freedom from negative thinking, according to devotional tradition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who composed the Shiv Tandav Stotram? 

A: It was composed by Ravana, the King of Lanka, a scholar and devout worshipper of Lord Shiva.

Q: How many verses does the Shiv Tandav Stotram have? 

A: The most widely recited version has 15 verses, though some traditions count 16 or 17 depending on regional variations.

Q: What is the best time to chant the Shiv Tandav Stotram? 

A: Pradosh Kaal (around sunset) is considered most auspicious, along with Maha Shivratri.

Q: What is the story behind why Ravana composed it?

A: Ravana tried to lift Mount Kailash to take it to Lanka. Shiva pinned his hand under the mountain, and in response Ravana spontaneously composed this hymn in praise of Shiva, who was pleased and released him.

Q: What are the benefits of chanting the Shiv Tandav Stotram? 

A: Devotees believe it brings inner strength, fearlessness, mental clarity, and removal of negative energy.

Carry the Devotion With You 

For many devotees, chanting the Shiv Tandav Stotram becomes even more meaningful with a Rudraksha mala in hand traditionally used to count japa and stay anchored through each verse. If you're drawn to keeping a piece of this devotion close, Prinjal  offers certified, authentic Rudraksha malas and bracelets crafted for exactly this kind of daily practice.